Encapsulating the Transformation of Mahan Culture along the Yeongsan River Basin from the 3rd to the 5th Century
The Hampyeong Yedeok-ri tumuli, which encapsulate the historical changes in Mahan culture along the Yeongsan River basin from the 3rd to the 5th century, have been preliminarily announced for designation as a National Historic Site. This is particularly significant as it will be the first National Historic Site in Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanam-do.
Hampyeong-gun in Jeollanam-do announced on February 25, 2026, that the Hampyeong Yedeok-ri tumuli, located in Yedeok-ri, Wolya-myeon, have been preliminarily announced by the National Heritage Administration for designation as a National Cultural Heritage Historic Site.
This preliminary announcement is the result of continuous efforts since the Yedeok-ri tumuli were designated as a Jeollanam-do Monument in 1981, including trial excavations, the first and second full-scale excavations, and academic research carried out by Jeollanam-do, Hampyeong-gun, and the Chonnam National University Museum. Through these efforts, the nature and value of the site have been systematically clarified.
The Yedeok-ri tumuli are a representative tumulus cluster of Mahan from the 3rd to the 5th century. They have been highly regarded for their historical and academic value because they clearly show the development of Mahan tumulus culture through the process of mound expansion and changes in the composition of burial facilities.
The tumuli are located in the upper reaches of Gomakwoncheon, a tributary of the Yeongsan River, and form a collective burial ground in which a total of 14 tumuli, built over approximately 300 years starting in the 3rd century, are connected and share a common surrounding ditch.
The investigation confirmed a pattern of multiple burials, and the burial facilities showed a transitional pattern in which wooden-coffin (wooden-chamber) burials were central at first, with jar burials coexisting and then expanding. In addition, a phased construction pattern was identified in which the mound first expanded horizontally and then continued with vertical expansion.
In the central part of the tumulus cluster, an unusually shaped ritual pit, referred to as an “irregular earthen pit (Ihyeong Tokang)” and interpreted as being related to a pillar-erection ritual, was also identified. This feature has attracted attention as important academic material for understanding the funerary rituals and spiritual culture of Mahan society.
The Hampyeong Yedeok-ri tumuli are regarded as one of the earliest large-scale tumulus clusters established in the Yeongsan River basin, and their academic importance is widely recognized as a key archaeological site that illustrates the growth process of a Mahan small polity and the formation of its political and social structure.
The total area proposed for designation in this preliminary announcement covers 54 land parcels amounting to 72,789 square meters, including 12 parcels (14,059 square meters) as the cultural heritage zone and 42 parcels (58,730 square meters) as the cultural heritage protection zone.
The preliminary announcement will remain open for 30 days from the date it is published in the official gazette by the National Heritage Administration. Anyone with opinions may submit them during this period to the relevant local government or the National Heritage Administration, or present their views through the “Preliminary Announcement of National Heritage Designation” section on the National Heritage Administration website.
Hampyeong-gun currently has three nationally designated heritage properties: one Treasure and two Natural Monuments. If the Yedeok-ri tumuli are finally designated, they are expected to become the first National Historic Site in Hampyeong-gun.
Hampyeong-gun plans, once the historic site designation is finalized, to systematically preserve and manage the Yedeok-ri tumuli, strengthen the foundation for academic research and utilization, and promote their value as a representative Mahan cultural heritage of Hampyeong.
An official from Hampyeong-gun stated, “This preliminary announcement for designation as a National Historic Site is a meaningful achievement in that the region’s long history and cultural value have been recognized at the national level,” adding, “We will continue to enhance the status of Hampyeong’s Mahan culture through the preservation and study of the site.”
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